tanuki

English

/təˈnʊkɪ/, /tɑˈnuki/

noun
Definitions
  • the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides (Nyctereutes procyonoides)
  • (Japanese mythology) A folkloric figure in the form of a tanuki, regarded as a shapeshifter and renowned for its enormous scrotum and testicles.

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 狸 (raccoon dog, tanuki raccoon dog).

Origin

Japanese

狸

Gloss

raccoon dog, tanuki raccoon dog

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms